Vergil
A Mythological Musical
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Vergil
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About this listen
You may think you know Vergil’s epic poem, The Aeneid -- the story of Aeneas, a Trojan hero, prophesized to found Rome. Or maybe you’ve heard of the fearsome Cyclopes, the tragic queen Dido, the Trojan horse, the River Styx and the three headed dog who guards the underworld. But what of the man who wrote it and why? This is that story.
This time, full of warrior queens, rebels, queer poets and pirate women which begins in Greece, in 19BC. Vergil has been commissioned by the Emperor Augustus to write an epic poem to glorify himself and Rome, but he isn't remotely done writing - he's eleven years into a bout of writers block. In the harbour, returning from her own Sapphic heartbreak, is his former student, Sulpicia, who boards the ship and demands to hear the Aeneid, with her own agenda - or that of Augustus.
This musical reinvents Rome's national poem as a tale of two writers figuring out how to change the world. Written by New York Times best seller Maria Dahvana Headley and featuring a myriad of marginalised and overlooked characters, in a swashbuckling adventure, fighting back against the oppressive Roman Empire and shining a brilliant light on hidden history. Vergil and Sulpicia embark on a voyage through the history of both epic poems and empire, as they try to finish the poem before the emperor catches up with them. Together, they'll braid a subversive narrative into the Aeneid through soaring ballads, poppy bangers, barber shop quartets, and comedy raps. This musical journey features over 25 songs composed by Alexandra Braithwaite, Elizabeth Purnell and Joseph Keckler, and sung by the cast lead by Will Young and Claudia Kariuki, with Derek Jacobi, Le Gateau Chocolat, Alice Fearn, John Partridge and Divina de Campo.
Also starring: Alžbeta Matyšáková, Ani Nelson, Ashley Zhangazha, Ashok Gupta, Beth Hinton-Lever, Cavin Cornwall, Dan Collins, Douglas Jones, Ella Djurovich,Frewyn Thursfield, George Georgiou, Gordon Kennedy, Harrison Knights, Jacoba Williams, Jonathan Case, Luke Hammond, Mark Hannah, Max Runham, Michael Kosko, Nadim Naaman, Olivier Huband, Olugbeminiyi Bammodu, Oscar Hansen, Raj Ghatak, Robyn Mcintyre, Romeo Mika, Sam Howard-Sneyd, Sharan Phull, Shaun Mendum, Silas Carson, Tachia Newall, Tonderai Munyevu, Tristan Waterson and William Collison. With special thanks to London Musical Theatre Orchestra Singers, conducted by Freddie Tapner.
Directed by Polly Thomas. Musical direction by Harrison Knights.
Produced by Naked Productions for Audible Originals
©2023 Audible Ltd. (P)2023 Audible Ltd.Listeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Vergil
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Steve
- 11-06-23
Absolutely loved this!
Such a fun romp, great cast, very funny, wonderful music and amazing singers, really enjoyed it!
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- K barnes
- 30-06-23
Excellent
Entertaining, funny particularly loved Will Young’s take on the character. Some great singing all round too.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 27-07-23
Pure joy from start to finish
The music is excellent, as are the performers. this is a hugely original take on a great story which is accessible to everyone. I loved the fact it was so long and that I could listen to a bit every day.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Callum Jackson
- 23-11-23
A modern epic
Fantastic from start to finish, beautifully written and expertly performed, I can’t recommend it enough!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Sam
- 13-06-23
A really fun look at an old classic
Sometimes, it’s really hard to get into the dusty old classics that everyone is supposed to read.
Adaptions like this are always a delight as it makes it not only easier to get into but also makes it a genuine delight.
I’ve enjoyed every second of this
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 25-08-23
transported to an engaging tale set long ago
Ingenious story - mostly as a play with great and varied songs interspersed form time to time. performances of all the main characters excellent.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 12-07-23
Vergil
Absolutely loved it, Will Young brought Vergil to life and the story line was amazing.
Really catchy songs too, any chance of a cd 😉
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Victoria
- 19-09-23
Under the radar musical gem
Based on the number of reviews this seems to be going under the radar which is such a shame as it's such a unique and brilliant audiobook. Will Young is fantastic and really stole the show in his scenes. Can we now have the songs on spotify please?!
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Mark
- 10-06-23
I hated every annoying character
I am sure there are very talented people involved but gosh not a single likeable character all of them are just so annoying and unlikeable. This is all over the place. Maybe Vergil should have been allowed to drown? You will get my meaning if you try It. What a pity,
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 11-08-23
Awful
Dreadful music, worse lyrics, awful dialogue and acting. Funny? Probably only in the minds of public schoolboys who hated Latin. Just as well that the writers opted for a spelling of Virgil’s name I’ve not come across, as it puts some distance between this tripe and the poet it lampoons.
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